ODE
        FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY.
 
            A glorious vision burst
                On Europe's dazzled sight,
            Upon that day when first
                Columbia sprang to light; --
        When our NEW WORLD, till then concealed,
        In virgin beauty stood revealed.
 
            But more sublime that day
                When the young nation rose,
            And cast her chains away,
                And dared her tyrant foes:
        Thrones quaked, and despots trembled then,
        For bonds were rent and slaves were men.
 
            The torch of Liberty,
                Relighted on that day,
            Streamed over land and sea
                With brighter, holier ray.
        Hail to our Country! hail to thee,
        Auspicious day that saw her free!
 
            Let the star-spangled flag
                Upon the free air float;
            Let hill, and vale, and crag,
                Prolong the cannon's note:
        "Live the Republic!" let this be
        The watch-word of our liberty.